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Melissa L. Lawrence

Thu, 02/08/2018 - 11:21am

Melissa Lanet Lawrence of Sullivan, MO departed this life in Fenton, MO on January 18, 2018, having reached the age of fifty-three years, eight months and twenty-seven days. Melissa was born in St. Louis, MO on April 21, 1964, daughter of Jerry Dean Dodd and Freeda Fay Dodd nee McKay.

As a young woman she was united in marriage and blessed to have four daughters. Melissa is survived by her daughters, Emilee Lawrence and fiancé, Keith Davis, of Sullivan, MO; Elizabeth Lawrence and boyfriend, John Maierhoffer, of Sullivan, MO; Elainey Lawrence and boyfriend, Tyler Reeves, of Sullivan, MO; and Ellie Lawrence of Sullivan, MO; by her former foster daughter, Rose Freeman of Rolla, MO; by her adopted daughter Tara Morrison and children Serenity and Destiny Minard and Lennox Biesner, of Festus, MO; by her adopted sons Brian Garrett and Heath Bacon both of Sullivan, MO; by her former spouse and friend, Mark Lawrence of St. Clair, MO; by her father, Jerry Dodd and wife, Jean, of Londell, MO; by her brothers, Jeff Dodd and girlfriend, Tamra, of Pendleton, IN and Curtis Dodd and wife, Dianna, of St. Peters, MO; by her sister, Kim Vogelsang and husband, Jason, of Lake St. Louis, MO; by her grandchildren, Mason Burks of Sullivan, MO; and by Tytan and Ember Reeves, both of Sullivan, MO; by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and many, many, many friends.

Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, Freeda Dodd; by her sister, Angela Dodd; and by her soulmate, Elmer “Bud” Cox.

Melissa was a Christian, having been raised in the Baptist faith and believing in the Lord as her Savior. As a young woman she worked as a waitress at Coach’s Restaurant in St. Clair, MO and later went on to teach pre-school at Holy Trinity Day Care in St. Clair for many years.

While her children were in school she was a room mother and also had slumber parties at her home for the girls. Melissa loved the outdoors and enjoyed going camping and on float trips. She also had a passion for reading and writing, often sharing her own poetry with loved ones. What meant most to her, though, was time spent with her family. Her children and grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, as she did in theirs. The memories they created will never be forgotten. A kind and loving mother, foster mother, grammy, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Memorials and donations may be made to the family in care of the Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO.